[SMM Hydrogen Energy Industry Weekly Review] 20250918

I. Policy Review: Hydrogen Policy Dynamics

(A) Domestic Policies

Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and seven other departments:Issued the “Automotive Industry Steady-Growth Work Plan (2025–2026)”. The document calls for accelerating the full market expansion of NEVs. It urges advancing the pilot program for full electrification of public-sector vehicles, driving the 25 pilot cities to add more than 700,000 NEVs in urban buses, taxis, and logistics distribution. It will continue to organize the NEV promotion campaign in rural areas and county-level battery-charging and battery-swapping facility gap-filling pilots to raise rural electrification levels. It will actively carry out fuel-cell vehicle demonstration applications and promote large-scale deployment of medium- and long-haul, medium- and heavy-duty fuel-cell commercial vehicles.

Ministry of Transport:Released the “Technical Specifications for Road Transport of Hydrogen (Including Liquid Hydrogen)” among seven transport-industry standards. The specification sets equipment requirements and procedures for transport, parking, and emergency handling of UN1049 hydrogen (including UN1966 liquid hydrogen) by road. It applies to road transport using tube trailers, tank trucks, tube-container skids, and tank containers, but not to transport using bulk cylinders, vertical cylinder bundles, basket assemblies, or solid-state hydrogen storage systems. Effective 1 March 2026; standard number JT/T 1568-2025.

Policy Interpretation:

MIIT et al., “Automotive Industry Steady-Growth Work Plan (2025–2026)”:The plan explicitly positions fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) as a key direction for NEV market expansion, focusing on medium- and long-haul, medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. It plans to deploy 700,000 NEVs (including FCEVs) through 25 pilot cities and to complement this with county-level charging and swapping gap-filling pilots. This layout aligns closely with global trends—IDTechEx forecasts that by 2044 hydrogen fuel-cell trucks will account for 19% of the zero-emission heavy-duty truck market.

Ministry of Transport, “Technical Specifications for Road Transport of Hydrogen (Including Liquid Hydrogen)”:The standard fills the regulatory gap for hydrogen transport, resolving the previous problem of “multiple regulators and inconsistent technical parameters” and provides operational guidance for cross-regional hydrogen corridors such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Chengdu-Chongqing hydrogen corridors.

(B) International Policies

European Commission:Approved Spain’s €1.2 billion renewable hydrogen support scheme. The program will allocate funds through competitive tenders, prioritizing green-hydrogen production facilities of at least 100 MW, including renewable hydrogen-derived fuels, hydrogen storage solutions, and supporting renewable power projects. It aims to help Spain reach 12 GW of electrolyzer capacity by 2030, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, and cut 1 million mt of CO₂ emissions.

European Commission:Approved the Germany-Netherlands €3 billion H2Global hydrogen import plan. Germany contributes €2.7 billion and the Netherlands €300 million. A dual-auction mechanism will procure green hydrogen from non-EU countries at the lowest cost and resell it to industrial users at market prices, with the difference subsidized by public funds.

Germany:Adopted the National Hydrogen Strategy, targeting 5 GW of green-hydrogen capacity by 2030.

France:Updated the National Hydrogen Strategy. It establishes a €4 billion support mechanism over 15 years to ensure low-carbon hydrogen competitiveness. Adjustments include 4.5 GW of electrolyzer capacity by 2030 and 8 GW by 2035; strengthening technology autonomy across the entire industry chain; developing low-carbon hydrogen transport networks; and safeguarding basic conditions for hydrogen industry development.

US:US President Trump signed the “Big and Beautiful” bill, extending the start-of-construction deadline for hydrogen tax-credit projects by two years to 1 January 2028. Projects originally required to begin construction before 1 January 2026 to receive up to $3 per kg can now qualify if construction starts by 1 January 2028.

Policy Interpretation:

1. Fragmented Standards and Cost Pain:The EU’s “carbon extraterritoriality” sparks controversy: its accounting method excludes “recycled carbon fuels” such as biomass-based hydrogen, accused of technological discrimination; CBAM’s tracing of indirect emissions (e.g., grid carbon intensity for electrolytic hydrogen) downgraded a Moroccan PV-hydrogen project because the grid contains 15% coal power. More problematically, fluctuating EU carbon prices (peaking at €110/mt in 2023) directly affect imported hydrogen costs, forcing Algeria and others to demand “carbon-price-linked” long-term contracts—new trade clauses reshaping global energy pacts.

2. Competition and Positioning:The EU-China decarbonization stimulus policy packages essentially use standards as industrial weapons. German pipelines, French electrolyzers, and US subsidies form the “Three Kingdoms” of the hydrogen era. For China, it must both accelerate alignment with EU carbon-footprint accounting and guard against “standard barriers” evolving into “technological lock-in”—when the EU mandates second-generation hydrogen-barrier coatings for 2027 projects, the speed of domestic technology iteration will determine China’s position in the global low-carbon race.

II. Corporate Dynamics: Project Signings and Technical Cooperation

(A) Project Intelligence

China Salt Cavern Comprehensive Utilization Co., Ltd.:Based on geological conditions, China Salt Group’s large-scale hydrogen storage key technology and test validation—dual-salt-cavern hydrogen storage verification platform project (constructed by China Salt Cavern Co.) preliminary design and single-well design for four wells
On-site technical services tender released. The project is located in Jintan District, Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, involving the construction of two new salt cavern groups, each with a water volume of 120,000 m³. The design services include preliminary design, single-well design for four wells, and on-site technical services.

Wuxi Runxin New Energy Co., Ltd.:Wuxi Runxin New Energy Co., Ltd. released a hydrogen procurement project announcement for its Shuofang hydrogen refueling station. Procurement content: hydrogen; required quantity: 1; unit: m³.

Guangzhou Development Energy Logistics Group Co., Ltd.:The EPC general contracting tender for the Guangzhou Development Integrated Energy Station project was released. The project mainly involves the conversion of a gas refueling station into an integrated hydrogen refueling comprehensive energy station on Longxue Island, Nansha District, and the construction of a new hydrogen refueling station on the Zhudian Road plot in Nansha District.

Urban Management and Comprehensive Law Enforcement Bureau of Tianhe District, Guangzhou:Released a government procurement intention for the "Hydrogen Fuel Cell Sanitation Vehicle Procurement Project". The project has a budget of 10 million yuan, procuring three 18-mt hydrogen fuel cell sprinklers and four 18-mt hydrogen fuel cell sweeping vehicles. The sprinklers are required to be hydrogen-powered with functions such as municipal road sprinkling, flushing, cleaning, and dust reduction; the sweeping vehicles are required to be hydrogen-powered with functions including municipal road surface sweeping, washing, and sewage and waste collection.

Jinhua Jinyi Comprehensive Bonded Zone Construction and Development Co., Ltd.:Released a procurement announcement for hydrogen energy equipment for the cold storage operation in Phase II, Plot L of the Jinyi Comprehensive Bonded Zone. Procurement content: three hydrogen fuel cell counterbalanced forklifts, with a maximum unit price limit of 346,833.33 yuan each; one hydrogen fuel cell shuttle vehicle (three rows, six seats), with a maximum unit price limit of 234,333.33 yuan each; two hydrogen fuel cell shuttle vehicles (two rows, four seats), with a maximum unit price limit of 214,500 yuan each; ten hydrogen fuel cell patrol vehicles, with a maximum unit price limit of 19,826.67 yuan each.

China Resources Power (Panjin) Co., Ltd.:Released an inquiry procurement announcement for hydrogen dryer adsorbent for the equipment management department.

Huaneng Shandong Branch Dezhou Power Plant:Released an inquiry and comparison procurement announcement for the hydrogen supply system equipment project for two 660MW cogeneration units.

(II) Enterprise Dynamics

Beijing Gome Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd.:According to AiQicha, Beijing Gome Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. was established on September 10, 2025. Its business scope includes general projects: emerging energy technology R&D; ESS services; new-type membrane material sales; battery sales; generator and generating set sales; hydrogen refueling and storage facility sales; gas and liquid separation and purification equipment sales; PV equipment and components sales; new energy prime mover sales; land pipeline transportation; auto parts wholesale; energy-saving management services; and NEV auto sales.

Huadian Baotou Hydrogen Energy Technology: Wang Xinyu, Director and Party Committee Secretary of Inner Mongolia Huadian Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd., and Yue Wei, Deputy General Manager and Party Committee Member, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Li Chensheng, General Manager of Baotou Enn Gas Co., Ltd., at the company headquarters.

Shaanxi Hydrogen Energy: During the 3rd Western China Hydrogen Energy Expo, Shaanxi Hydrogen Energy held discussions and exchanges with the People's Governments of Baoji City, Hanzhong City, and Hangjin Banner, respectively.

HyDeal Hydrogen: HyDeal Hydrogen announced on September 15 the completion of a new round of strategic financing, with investments from institutions including NIO Capital, and continued support from existing shareholders such as Xianghe Capital and Joy Capital. Part of NIO Capital's investment was arranged through a strategic cooperation with China Electronics Corporation. This round of financing will focus on global market expansion and new product development, further strengthening HyDeal Hydrogen's technological innovation advantages and commercial leadership in the green hydrogen industry.

CCCC Northwest Regional Headquarters: Wang Chaojiang, General Manager of CCCC Northwest Regional Headquarters, met with Huang Ye, Party Committee Secretary and Chairman of Shaanxi Hydrogen Energy Industry Development Co., Ltd., in Yulin. The two sides held discussions on new development opportunities and signed a cooperation framework agreement.

Shanghai Huayi Group Co., Ltd.: Issued the "Announcement on Partial Shutdown of Subsidiary's Facilities." The announcement stated that, in accordance with government requirements and directives regarding industrial adjustment, transformation, and industrial carbon peaking in the Wujing area, the facilities at the Wujing base of Shanghai Huayi Energy Chemical Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Huayi Group, have been permanently shut down. Shanghai Huayi Energy Chemical is a wholly-owned subsidiary primarily producing methanol, acetic acid, hydrogen, syngas, and other products. The shutdown involves facilities at the Wujing base (with a designed methanol capacity of 950,000 mt and a 2024 capacity utilization rate of 46.5%; acetic acid designed capacity of 700,000 mt and a 2024 capacity utilization rate of 70.7%). These facilities were built earlier.

Guofu Hydrogen Energy: Guofu Hydrogen Energy formally signed a cooperation agreement with South Korea's Hylium Industries, Inc., reaching a consensus on the development of hydrogen production, storage, and transportation systems and solutions for the South Korean market.

III. Technological Progress: Efficiency and Cost Breakthroughs

(I) Production, Storage, and Transportation Sector

Foshan Xianhu Laboratory: The industry's first "zero-carbon ammonia-fueled aluminum billet heating furnace" for aluminum extrusion production was launched at Foshan Xianhu Laboratory. This equipment achieves zero-carbon operation in the aluminum processing heating stage, marking a significant step in the green transformation of China's aluminum processing industry.

Shougang Group Co., Ltd.: Successfully developed a full series of hydrogen pipeline steels including B/X42/X52/X60/X65MH, overcoming six key technical bottlenecks such as hydrogen embrittlement damage and low-temperature toughness, and formed a relatively complete product matrix for hydrogen pipeline steels.

CNPC Baoshun (Qinhuangdao) Steel Pipe Co., Ltd.: Successfully trial-produced multiple specifications of "longitudinal submerged arc welded pipes" (D610x12.7/14.3mm, material/X60MH) for pure hydrogen transportation.

SPIC Central Research Institute: The hydrogen storage and transportation team of the Advanced Low-Carbon Institute developed a large-diameter (DN150), high-pressure (10MPa) non-metallic flexible hydrogen pipeline, which achieved safe and stable operation for 30 days on the test platform.

Offshore Oil Engineering Special Equipment Branch: The self-developed design achievement of the "cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage tank" for deep-sea floating platforms obtained the Approval in Principle (AIP) certificate from the China Classification Society (CCS), marking that the safety and reliability of this achievement fully comply with the classification society's specifications.

Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences: Breakthrough in alkaline electrolyzer membrane technology: Developed an ultra-thin (20μm) composite separator, increasing the electrolysis system efficiency to 85% (LHV) with a lifespan exceeding 60,000 hours.

(II) Fuel Cell Innovation

Liaoning General Aviation Research Institute: The RX4M, China's first self-developed four-seat hybrid electric aircraft developed by the team of Academician Yang Fengtian at the Liaoning General Aviation Research Institute of Shenyang Aerospace University, successfully completed its maiden flight at Shenyang Faku Caihu Airport, contributing the "China solution" to global electric aircraft development.

Dongfang Hydrogen Energy: Obtained a patent for a system that increases the humidity of incoming air in fuel cell stacks.

Georgia Power: Successfully completed the second hydrogen-natural gas blended fuel experiment for the M501GAC natural gas turbine, developed in cooperation with Mitsubishi Power, under both partial and full load conditions.

US Hydrogen Energy Association (DoE) led the establishment of the "Hydrogen Refueling Station Compatibility Alliance": Unified the interface standard for 70MPa hydrogen refueling nozzles, eliminating barriers in refueling protocols among automakers such as Toyota, Hyundai, and Nikola, and promoting interoperability of hydrogen refueling networks.